FLOODED OUT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1754, 20 May 1913, Page 7

FLOODED OUT.

$ THE DELUGE'IN NEW SOUTH WALES. REFUGE ON ROOF-TOPS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ■ Sydney, May 19. Pending the restoration of the railways in the flooded districts, passengers aro being conveyed in boats and vehicles across . the broken sections. Wide areas aro still under water, but Hio water in steadily receding. Many families are unablo as yet to return to their homes, and are being provided with food and shelter from public buildings. Most of the collieries are idlo, owing to want of trains to remove the coal. Streets and roads are torn up everywhere.

At Maitland four men took refuge on the roof of a house, but a-floating tree struck the house and rendered it insecure. The men seoured a boat, and, after an exoiting drift for miles, managed to land.

A man found drifting in the Peel Hirer on a log was Tescued in an unconscious condition.

Reports from outside centres state that along the various rivers there has been widespread devastation. Rescue boats took settlers from roofs, hay stacks, and trees, where they had Bought safety.

The lucerne growers ! on the flats are amongst the heaviest losers. Miles of rich agricultural lands have teen swept, and the crops covered with silt and debris. Many farms have been ruined.